La Salle participating in national golf tournament

By Joe McDonald
RIGA Senior Writer

PROVIDENCE – The La Salle Academy golf team is spending Holy Week on hallowed ground.

The Rams are participating in The Palmetto High School Championship at Myrtle Beach, S.C. this week. The 48-team field is loaded with schools from around the country for the three-day tournament that began in 1998. La Salle traveled Wednesday night and play begins Thursday. The team will return late Saturday night in order to be home for Easter.

This is the second time the Rams have participated in this annual tournament. In fact, coach Steve White first served as the team’s assistant coach 19 years ago. Since the team was strong at the time, the school decided to send the boys to participate in The Palmetto in 2004. The Rams finished 20th out of 60 teams. White has been telling subsequent teams show much fun it was.

The 2022 team asked to return to Myrtle Beach this year, so White told the boys prior to last season if they won the Rhode Island State Championship then he would take them to The Palmetto.

The Rams won the state championship.

“I’m a man of my word,” White said with a laugh. “They won the state championship, so we’re going. It should be interesting.”

This type of trip, especially at this point of the season, is a great way for the team to bond. The Rams will play rounds at True Blue Golf Club, Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, and the Tradition Golf Club.

“It will be a great bonding experience for the kids,” White said. “The weather in New England hasn’t been too bad this winter, but it’ll be good to play in some good weather and really get the swings in. They also have great practice facilities there that’s included in the tournament price, so we can work on a lot of different things. It’s a great opportunity for the kids to hang out, get to know each other through team activities. It’ll be a really fun time for all of us.”

When the Rams get back from Myrtle Beach, they’ll start the regular season with the annual Challenge Cup. White has a strong outlook for the season and understands the Rams will face solid competition this spring.

“That’s always a good test early on,” White said of the Challenge Cup. “There’s going to be some tough competition this season. We’re going to do our best and see how we make out.”

Until then the Rams will enjoy the weather and golf at Myrtle Beach.